Tucking needle



Feb. 22, 1966 Q SANDBERG 3,236,245

ING NEEDLE Filed April 23, 1964 TUCKENG NEEDLE Ivar U. Sandherg,Bronnna, Sweden, assignor to Arenco Aktieboiag, Vallingby, Sweden FiledApr. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 361,9S1 Claims priority, application Sweden, May17, 1963,

1 (llaim. (1. 131-36) This invention relates to a device in cigarwrapping machines for applying the tuck end of a wrapper to the end of acigar bunch, which device comprises a flexible needle attached to amovable holder, the forward end of which needle projecting from theholder being intended to press the tuck end of the wrapper to the end ofthe bunch. The device is particularly intended to be used formanufacturing cigars of the type having a boll-shaped or conical endagainst which the tuck end of the wrapper is applied, for example,cigars of the shape called the bolknak-shape.

Owing to the considerable bending of the needle each time the needle ispressed against the end of the bunch it frequently happens that theneedle breaks off after a time of use so that it is necessary to inserta new needle and holder in the machine. These frequent changes ofneedles are time-consuming and expensive and make it necessary to keeptucking needles in store at the machine.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate said disadvantagesin a simple and appropriate manner. According to the invention this isachieved by the fact that the needle is slidingly journaled in a guidingmember in the holder which guiding member is provided with a lockingmember for locking the needle in a desired position in the guidingmember, in addition to which the portion of the needle located in theholder behind the locking member has a length permitting the needle tobe drawn out and locked in the desired position after a breakage of theneedle or after each of several consecutive breakages.

When a needle is broken it is necessary only to unfasten the residualportion of the needle and pull out the desired length and then lock theneedle. In order to facilitate the pulling out of the needle from theguiding member the device is suitably arranged so that the needle isfreely accessible between the locking member and the end of the guidingmember directed towards the end of the bunch, which details of theguiding member are fixedly joined by means of an arm extending along theneedle at a distance from the needle. Advantageously the needle may havesuch a length that insertion of a new needle in the holder is necessaryonly after a great number of breakages of the needle. To this end therear portion of the needle is, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, wound on a storage bobbin rotatably jour naled on theholder or alternatively in the machine stand.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which FIGURE1, by way of example, shows an embodiment of the invention in sectionand FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged detail of FIGURE 1.

The device shown in the drawing has a tubular holder 1 in which a thickend portion 3 of a thin tube 2 is fixedly fitted in a boring in theholder. The boring in the holder 1 extends all through the holder and isconcentric with the tube 2 the free end of which supports a curved arm 4secured to the tube by a screw 5 and having an aperture 6 concentricwith the tube 2 for guiding the free end of the tucking needle 7. FIGURE1 shows 3,235,245 Patented Feb. 22, 1966 add the position of the holderwhen the needle is pressed against the end of the bunch, which isdesignated by 8, and the needle extends from the end 8 of the bunchthrough the aperture 6, the tube 2 and the boring in the holder 1 to astorage bobbin 9 rotatably journaled on the holder on which bobbin theresidual portion of the needle is wound. For locking the needle 7 in anydesired position in the guiding member 2, 6 the arm 4 is provided with alocking screw 10 having a stud 11 (FIGURE 2) penetrating an aperture 12in the Walls of the tube 2 and a bushing 13, which latter is fitted inthe free end of the tube 2, by means of which stud the needle 7 ispressed against the wall of the bushing 13. The distance between the arm4- and the needle 7 is great enough to prevent the bent portion of theneedle 7 from touching the arm 4 when the end 8 of the bunch is rotated.

When the needle 7 is broken the point of breakage is as a rule locatedat the aperture 6 or close inside the aperture. The locking screw 10 isthen unfastened and the necessary portion of the needle 7 is pulled outsimultaneously as a corresponding length is unwound from the storagebobbin 9, and then the locking screw. 10 is tightened again.

In the embodiment shown the holder 1 is not rotatably journaled roundits longitudinal axis but only swingable and movable to and fro betweena rear position and a fore position in a conventional manner, in whichlatter position the conical sleeve 14 is forced against a conicalbushing 15 secured to the machine stand. To this end the needle 7 has acircular cross section. The invention is, however, also applicable inconnection with other types of needle-holders and the needle may in somecases consist of a wire having rectangular cross section.

What is claimed is:

In a cigar wrapping machine, a mechanism for applying the tuck end of awrapper to the end of a cigar bunch, particularly a bunch having aboll-shaped or conical end, comprising a frame having a swinging holderslidingly mounted therein, an essentially tubular guiding member fixedlyattached to said holder and having a free end directed towards the endof the bunch, a flexible tucking needle slidingly journaled in saidguiding member and having a free end protruding from the free end ofsaid guiding member, means on said guiding member for locking saidneedle in a predetermined position, said needle having a lengthpermitting the needle to be pulled out and locked in said predeterminedposition after a breakage of said needle or after each of a number ofconsecutive breakages, the end portion of said guiding member directedtowards the end of the bunch consisting of an arm rigidly fixed at oneend to a portion of said tubular guiding member and a guiding sleevesecured to the other end of said arm, said arm extending along and atone side only of said needle and at a distance from said needle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 808,745 1/1906Herrington et al. 13136 1,128,989 2/1915 Lacroix 131-35 X 2,161,5406/1939 Tager 242103 2,486,247 10/1949 Berlin et a1. 131245 2,501,201 3/1950 Wilcox 242129 X SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

H. P. DEELEY, 1a., Assistant Examiner.

